Are You Aware of This Odd Tip?

As you well know, list posts are one of the most popular types of blog posts.

For that reason, you may think that they’ve been overdone, and that people are tired of seeing the same list posts over and over.

But, there’s a reason why bloggers are still using them: They still succeed in getting those clicks. And writing headlines for them are easy.

Here are some examples:

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Think about how many points you want to include in your list, because the number you choose matters.

You’ve probably already heard that lists with odd numbers perform better than lists with even ones. But did you know that, according to research by RJMetrics, the number 25 performs the best in “best of” lists?

And according to research by BuzzSumo, the number 10 performs the best in general lists, as they attracted the most social shares.

The next best numbers were 23, 16, and 24.

May the Force be With You (and Your Headline)

Of course, you want to use the best words in your headline to draw readers in.

Think about the kind of readers you’re targeting, and what words will resonate with them the most.

Then, use those strong, persuasive words to trigger specific emotions in readers to persuade them to click on your headline.

For example, if you want to make readers angry about a problem that you want to address, consider using power words that provoke anger in the headline.

Here are some more examples, targeting different emotions and desires:

Fear: 10 Little-Known Blogging Mistakes: Are You Still Making Them?

Simplicity: Easy-as-Pie Guide to Boosting Blog Traffic in No Time

Urgency: 5 New SEO Strategies You Need to Know About Now

What About Controversial or Unconventional?

Tired of using the same “how to” and list post headlines? Mix it up with a few unexpected headlines every so often.

Not only can this help you get clicks, but it’s also fun.

You could use controversial statements in headlines to shock readers into clicking on your post to find out more. For example, could you resist clicking on 9 Stupid Mistakes You’re Still Making in Your Writing?

Or, you could be unconventional. Do something different to stand out from the crowd.

For example, instead of writing a “how to” post, you could write a “how not to” post instead, such as How Not to Write Compelling Headlines.